Should Calgary Bid on the 2026 Olympics

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

They cut 500 units (1,000 beds).

Is there a good summary of everything that was put in and out at the last minute? I’ve been going off tweets and various news reports but some kind of amendment to the bid document would help a lot.

[chemgear]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Moran said so on the radio this morning.

Do we have confirmation outside of the comment on the radio? She also still claimed that 10:1 ROI.

[Bunk]

Pinder and Steinberg (Pinder being a huge skeptic in particular) had John Furlong from VANOC on. Really, really worthwhile listen.

Touches on Vancouver's Budget, Calgary's extraordinary safeguards in its budget, IOC, use of old facilities (including McMahon), and so forth.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/960/pinder-...ancial-impact/

[Shazam]

Do people think that the games won't go over budget?

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Do people think that the games won't go over budget?

^ Have a listen to the above. It may allay some of those concerns.

[sleepingmoose]

Originally Posted by chemgear

Do we have confirmation outside of the comment on the radio? She also still claimed that 10:1 ROI.

They said this to City Council as well

[slots881]

Can anyone or most people even name the 3 other cities that have hosted multiple winter games?
Hint: They probably aren’t on your ‘tourist’ list.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by slots881

Can anyone or most people even name the 3 other cities that have hosted multiple winter games?
Hint: They probably aren’t on your ‘tourist’ list.

I've never been to Lake Placid but I hear it's very nice, but you're wrong on the other two, St. Moritz is all about tourism and Innsbruck is a true hidden gem in the middle of Europe. all 3 would never host again because of their size though

[cam_wmh]

Is anyone else still completely undecided?

[getbak]

I have actually been to Innsbruck. It reminded me of a larger Banff.

Innsbruck was planning on bidding for 2026 but pulled out at the last minute because they didn't have the local support. The problem with their plan was that because the city is so small, many of the big ticket events would have been held elsewhere in Austria or Germany. The hockey tournament would have been held in either Vienna or Munich. Speed skating would have been at an old outdoor oval that has been covered in Germany.


If the Swiss bid had gone through, their plan was to use the old sliding track at St Moritz. It's the only natural ice track still in use.

[Barnet Flame]

There is more to life than what lies on a spreadsheet that just tells you part of a story. Yes, budgets matter, but if you slavishly live by a budget or decide you don’t even want to provide a budget because the bottom line is all you live for, you end up missing out on the best things in life.

[Red Slinger]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

Is anyone else still completely undecided?

I am undecided.

I think there are a lot of tangible and intangible benefits from the Olympics but not at any cost. I was 15 years old in 88 and the atmosphere in the city and the impact afterwards was pretty incredible. Calgary changed forever, for the positive, after those Olympics. Calgary wouldn't be Winnipeg if not for those games but it probably would be Edmontonish. Not sure if this budget Olympics would have the same sort of impact on the City though.

I appreciate that security overruns are covered by the Federal government but there seems to be risk associated with other potential cost overruns. The insurance policy seems dubious. Also not really pumped about a slightly renovated McMahon being the center piece to an international event.

The interview on the FAN posted a little earlier is a good listen. It alleviated some of my concerns but not all.

[Jiggy]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

Is anyone else still completely undecided?

I've been going back and forth on it a lot. After listening to John Furlong on the Fan 960 some of my concerns are at ease.

[442scotty]

If it helped the Flames/City get the new arena/entertainment district built then I would consider voting yes. Otherwise no. I’m not sure why the new arena area wasn’t at least put forward as an option/talking point. Money for a 5000 seat arena is a waste and much better spent on the Victoria park complex. The city should have at least had options priced to build the new arena and stadium instead of wasting it on more upgrades .

[Locke]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

Is anyone else still completely undecided?

Very much so.

For me I have to say that my major issue concerning my vote can be summed up by 'Head vs. Heart.'

Do I want the Olympics? If it gives me what I want for our City, then sure. Normally I can take or leave the Olympics. I watch Hockey and thats about it, but to host it would be an incredible experience.

So my Heart says Yes.

But when I look through the budgets, the lack of promised infrastructure, the likelihood of cost overruns, sharing with Whistler and just the general state of our economy and our ability to actually, truly afford it....

My Head says No.

Now it all depends on which one I choose to vote with or some of the information thats going to come out in the next few weeks.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

Is anyone else still completely undecided?

According the poll attached to the thread, there's 11.5% of people still completely undecided, Sarcasm aside, the lead for the Yes vote on the poll has shrunk from 8% to 4% in the past couple weeks, but that would make sense given how poorly run the last couple weeks have made the BidCo appear to be. Certainly it couldn't have inspired more confidence they'll do a good job. I think most of us wish they'd push this back, there truly is no rush given the other two bids are basically dead at this point. If the IOC is serious about their new vision or whatever, they should be fine with us not being ready until we're ready. We're their only option at this point after all.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

Is anyone else still completely undecided?

Yes. I am still undecided.

[Calgary14]

What was the process for securing Olympic hockey tickets for 2010? Would there be any chance the average fan here could attend a Team Canada game or would they be prohibitively expensive?

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

According the poll attached to the thread, there's 11.5% of people still completely undecided, Sarcasm aside, the lead for the Yes vote on the poll has shrunk from 8% to 4% in the past couple weeks, but that would make sense given how poorly run the last couple weeks have made the BidCo appear to be. Certainly it couldn't have inspired more confidence they'll do a good job. I think most of us wish they'd push this back, there truly is no rush given the other two bids are basically dead at this point. If the IOC is serious about their new vision or whatever, they should be fine with us not being ready until we're ready. We're their only option at this point after all.

You can’t push back 2026 unless you’re even more almighty than you already think you are.

The Olympics has to be awarded on the schedule they award them or you just limit the host’s ability to complete all of the construction etc. on time and then you just ruin budgets by forcing everything to be on overtime.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Calgary14

What was the process for securing Olympic hockey tickets for 2010? Would there be any chance the average fan here could attend a Team Canada game or would they be prohibitively expensive?

They will be sold as a lottery, so everyone gets the same shot at them.

As for costs, its a wide range but expect TC tickets to command the most...and according to BidCo prices won't change based on NHL participation or not.

Vancouver IIRC was about 200- 500 a seat depending on the game, though that may have been after market prices as i wasnt there but my brother was and i think those were the numbers he told me.